SDSU and NAGPRA
About SDSU NAGPRA
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (CalNAGPRA) establish the legal rights of Native American Tribal Nations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and lineal descendants to their ancestral remains and cultural items. The laws require any institution receiving federal or state funding to account for their NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA holdings, and to notify, consult with, and repatriate to culturally affiliated Tribal Nations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, or lineal descendants.
NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA at SDSU
San Diego State University acknowledges its presence on Kumeyaay land and serves a county with 17 federally recognized Tribal Nations, in addition to non-federally recognized Tribes and lineal descendants. We respect Native American legacy, sovereignty and cultural traditions, and support the full repatriation of all ancestral remains and cultural items. Priorities for SDSU’s NAGPRA work include the following actions:
- Ensuring that the university, and its research community, remains in compliance with the NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA regulations.
- Collaborate with colleagues from across the University to identify any Native ancestral human remains, associated funerary objects, unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, objects of cultural patrimony, and other cultural items that might be in the possession of the university.
- Maintain an inventory of all ancestral remains and cultural items within the University’s holdings.
- Work with the California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), National NAGPRA Program, and Native American Tribes to facilitate repatriation.
- Provide both the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost with recommendations on policy and procedures, and overall implementation of NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA.
SDSU houses Native American ancestral remains and cultural items removed predominantly from San Diego County, but also from throughout the United States. SDSU is fully committed to implementing the legal requirements and spirit of NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA.
Accounts of SDSU's NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA holdings are available below:
CalNAGPRA
NAGPRA
University Actions
Repatriation is an ongoing and active process. While repatriation work began at SDSU in the 1990s, much remains to be done. In reprioritizing its NAGPRA efforts, SDSU:
- Regularly consults with culturally affiliated Tribes on SDSU’s holdings.
- Advocates for and partners with Tribes to support their needs and capacity for repatriation.
- Conducts campus-wide searches and surveys to update its inventory of ancestral remains and cultural items and to assess for university-wide compliance with state and federal laws.
- Offers education to new faculty on NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA and review of any cultural items and ancestral remains they may hold.
- Ensures compliance with the CSU NAGPRA Policy.
- Publishes notices of holdings in the Federal Register, enabling the NAGPRA process to proceed.
SDSU NAGPRA Oversight Committee
In accordance with AB389 Section 8028.7 and Section 8028.71, SDSU’s Oversight Committee provides oversight and guidance to ensure full compliance with CalNAGPRA and federal NAGPRA regulations. Members are formally approved for nomination by the Native American Heritage Commission and appointed by the CSU Chancellor’s Office.
In addition to providing general oversight and guidance, the Oversight Committee reviews all repatriation claims and oversees all NAGPRA processes as they are undertaken. All campus NAGPRA-related activities are regularly reported to the Oversight Committee.
Information regarding SDSU NAGPRA Oversight Committee members can be found on the Native American Heritage Commission’s site.
View the SDSU Oversight Committee bylaws (PDF).
Inquiries or comments regarding SDSU’s Oversight Committee can be submitted directly to the CSU Office of Tribal Relations.
Contacts
For any questions or inquiries regarding SDSU’s NAGPRA compliance efforts, please contact SDSU’s NAGPRA Coordinator Jaime Lennox by email at [email protected], by phone at 619-594-4575, or by mail at:
Jaime Lennox
University NAGPRA Coordinator
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-6040
Provost William Tong serves as SDSU President’s NAGPRA designee and can be reached by email at [email protected].
Requesting Consultation, Submitting Claims
All requests for consultation and claims can be submitted to SDSU’s NAGPRA Coordinator using the contact information above.
Reporting Concerns or Violations
To report any concerns or submit complaints regarding campus personnel or alleged violations of the laws or CSU policy, please contact SDSU’s NAGPRA Coordinator or NAGPRA Designee directly, or complete the online reporting form. The form can be submitted anonymously.
Appealing a University Determination, Identification, or Repatriation
To submit an appeal or dispute regarding an SDSU determination, identification, or repatriation of ancestral remains or cultural items, please complete the CSU NAGPRA appeal form (PDF).
Appeals or disputes can also be submitted directly to the CSU Systemwide NAGPRA Committee at [email protected].
Reporting Native American Ancestral Remains and Cultural Items
SDSU regularly surveys the campus to account for all NAGPRA holdings, however the online item reporting form can be used to anonymously report any ancestral remains or cultural items that may have been encountered during work or studies at SDSU. While the form is anonymous, SDSU’s NAGPRA Coordinator can also be contacted directly.